The Book Of Judges

because they were executers of God 9s judgments, not chosen of the people nor by succession, but raised up as it seemed best to God, for the governance of his people. They were fourteen in number beside Joshua, and governed from Joshua unto Saul the first King of Israel. Joshua and these unto the time of Saul, ruled 377 years.<br><br> In this book are many notable points declared, but woe especially: first, the battle that the Church of God hath for the maintenance of true Religion against idolatry and superstition: next, what great danger that commonwealth is in, when as God giveth not a Magistrate to retain his people in the pureness of Religion and his true service. Judges 1 ............................................................................................................................... .3 Judges 2 ...............................................................................................................................<br><br> .6 Judges 3 ............................................................................................................................... .8 Judges 4 ..............................................................................................................................1 1 Judges 5 ..............................................................................................................................1 3 Judges 6 ..............................................................................................................................1 6 Judges 7 ..............................................................................................................................2 0 Judges 8 ..............................................................................................................................2 3 Judges 9 ..............................................................................................................................2 6 Judges 10 .............................................................................................................................31 Judges 11 .............................................................................................................................33 Judges 12 .............................................................................................................................37 Judges 13 .............................................................................................................................39 Judges 14 .............................................................................................................................41 Judges 15 .............................................................................................................................43 Judges 16 .............................................................................................................................45 Judges 17 .............................................................................................................................48 Judges 18 .............................................................................................................................49 Judges 19 .............................................................................................................................52 Judges 20 .............................................................................................................................55 Judges 21 .............................................................................................................................59 Judges 1 1 After that Joshua was dead, the children of Israel asked ye Lord, saying, Who shall go up for us against the Canaanites, to fight first against them? 2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have given the land into his hand.<br><br> 3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites: and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot: so Simeon went with him. 4 Then Judah went up, and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hands, and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. 5 And they found Adoni-bezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and slew the Canaanites, and the Perizzites.<br><br> 6 But Adoni-bezek fled, and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off the thumbs of his hands and of his feet. 7 And Adoni-bezek said, Seventy Kings having the thumbs of their hands and of their feet cut off, gathered bread under my table: as I have done, so God hath rewarded me. So they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.<br><br> 8 (Now the children of Judah had fought against Jerusalem, and had taken it and smitten it with the edge of the sword, and had set the city on fire.) 9 Afterward also the children of Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites, that dwelt in the mountain, and toward the South, and in the low country. 10 And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron, which Hebron beforetime was called Kirjath-arba: and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman and Talmai. 11 And from thence he went to the inhabitants of Debir, and the name of Debir in old time was Kirjath-sepher.<br><br> 12 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjath-sepher, and taketh it, even to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. 13 And Othniel the son of Kenaz Caleb 9s younger brother took it, to whom he gave Achsah his daughter to wife. 14 And when she came to him, she moved him to ask of her father a field, and she lighted off her ass, and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou?<br><br> 15 And she answered him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a South country, give me also springs of water: and Caleb gave her the springs above and the springs beneath. 16 And the children of Kenite Moses 9 father in law went up out of the city of the palm trees with the children of Judah, into the wilderness of Judah, that lieth in the South of Arad, and went and dwelt among the people. 17 But Judah went with Simeon his brother, and they slew the Canaanites that inhabited Zephath, and utterly destroyed it, and called the name of the city Hormah.<br><br> 18 Also Judah took Azzah with the coasts thereof, and Askelon with the coasts thereof, and Ekron with the coasts thereof. 19 And the Lord was with Judah, and he possessed the mountains: for he could not drive out the inhabitants of the valleys, because they had chariots of iron. 20 And they gave Hebron unto Caleb, as Moses had said, and he expelled thence the three sons of Anak.<br><br> 21 But the children of Benjamin did not cast out the Jebusites, that inhabited Jerusalem: therefore the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day. 22 They also that were of the house of Joseph, went up to Beth-el, and the Lord was with them, 23 And the house of Joseph caused to view Beth-el (and the name of the city beforetime was Luz) 24 And the spies saw a man come out of the city, and they said unto him, Shew us, we pray thee, the way into the city, and we will shew thee mercy. 25 And when he had shewed them the way into the city, they smote the city with the edge of the sword, but they let the man and all his household depart.<br><br> 26 Then the man went into the land of the Hittites, and built a city, and called the name thereof Luz, which is the name thereof unto this day. 27 Neither did Manasseh destroy Bethshean with her towns, nor Taanach with her towns, nor the inhabitants of Dor with her towns, nor the inhabitants of Ibleam with her towns, neither the inhabitants of Megiddo with her towns: but the Canaanites dwelled still in that land. 28 Nevertheless when Israel was strong, they put the Canaanites to tribute, and expelled them not wholly.<br><br> 29 Likewise Ephraim expelled not the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer, but the Canaanites dwelt in Gezer among them. 30 Neither did Zebulun expel the inhabitants of Kitron, nor the inhabitants of Nahalol, but the Canaanites dwelt among them, and became tributaries. 31 Neither did Asher cast out the inhabitants of Accho, nor the inhabitants of Zidon, nor of Ahlab, nor of Achzib, nor of Helbah, nor of Aphik, nor of Rehob, 32 But the Asherites dwelt among the Canaanites the inhabitants of the land: for they did not drive them out.<br><br> 33 Neither did Naphtali drive out the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, nor the inhabitants of Beth-anath, but dwelt among the Canaanites the inhabitants of the land: nevertheless the inhabitants of Beth-shemesh, and of Beth-anath became tributaries unto them. 34 And the Amorites drove the children of Dan into the mountain: so that they suffered them not to come down to the valley. 35 And the Ammonites dwelt still in mount Heres in Aijalon, and in Shaalbim, and when the hand of Joseph 9s family prevailed, they became tributaries: 36 And the coast of the Amorites was from Maaleh-acrabbim, even from Selah and upward.<br><br> Judges 2 1 And an Angel of the Lord came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I had sworn unto your fathers, and said, I will never break my covenant with you. 2 Ye also shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land, but shall break down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice. Why have ye done this?<br><br> 3 Wherefore, I said also, I will not cast them out before you, but they shall be as thorns unto your sides, and their gods shall be your destruction. 4 And when the Angel of the Lord spake these words unto all the children of Israel, the people lifted up their voice, and wept. 5 Therefore they called the name of that place, Bochim, and offered sacrifices there unto the Lord.<br><br> 6 Now when Joshua had sent the people away, the children of Israel went every man into his inheritance, to possess the land. 7 And the people had served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the Elders that outlived Joshua, which had seen all the great works of the Lord that he did for Israel. 8 But Joshua the son of Nun the servant of the Lord died, when he was an hundred and ten years old: 9 And they buried him in the coasts of his inheritance, in Timnath-heres in mount Ephraim, on the Northside of mount Gaash.<br><br> 10 And so all that generation was gathered unto their fathers, and another generation arose after them, which neither knew the Lord, nor yet the works, which he had done for Israel. 11 Then the children of Israel did wickedly in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim, 12 And forsook ye Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, even the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. 13 So they forsook the Lord, and served Baal, and Ashtaroth.<br><br> 14 And the wrath of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers, that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was sore against them, as ye Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: so he punished them sore. 16 Notwithstanding, the Lord raised up Judges, which delivered them out of the hands of their oppressors.<br><br> 17 But yet they would not obey their Judges: for they went a whoring after other gods, and worshipped them, and turned quickly out of the way, wherein their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of the Lord: they did not so. 18 And when the Lord had raised them up Judges, the Lord was with the Judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the Judge (for the Lord had compassion on their groanings, because of them that oppressed them and tormented them) 19 Yet when the Judge was dead, they returned, and did worse than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and worship them: they ceased not from their own inventions, nor from their rebellious way. 20 Wherefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he said, Because this people hath transgressed my covenant, which I commanded their fathers, and hath not obeyed my voice, 21 Therefore will I no more cast out before them any of the nations, which Joshua left when he died, 22 That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the Lord, to walk therein, as their fathers kept it, or not.<br><br> 23 So the Lord left those nations, and drove them not out immediately, neither delivered them into the hand of Joshua. Judges 3 1 These now are the nations which the Lord left, that he might prove Israel by them (even as many of Israel as had not known all the wars of Canaan, 2 Only to make the generations of the children of Israel to know, and to teach them war, which doubtless their predecessors knew not) 3 Five princes of the Philistines, and all the Canaanites, and the Sidonians, and the Hivites that dwelt in mount Lebanon, from mount Baal-hermon until one come to Hamath. 4 And these remained to prove Israel by them, to wit, whether they would obey the commandments of the Lord, which he commanded their fathers by the hand of Moses.<br><br> 5 And the children of Israel dwelt among the Canaanites, the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, 6 And they took their daughters to be their wives, and gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods. 7 So the children of Israel did wickedly in the sight of the Lord, and forgot the Lord their God, and served Baalim, and Asheroth. 8 Therefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushan-rishathaim King of Aram-naharaim, and the children of Israel served Chushan-rishathaim eight years.<br><br> 9 And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord stirred up a savior to ye children of Israel, and he saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb 9s younger brother. 10 And the spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he judged Israel, and went out to war: and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim into his hand, and his hand prevailed against Chushan-rishathaim. 11 So the land had rest forty years, and Othniel the son of Kenaz died.<br><br> 12 Then the children of Israel again committed wickedness in the sight of the Lord: and the Lord strengthened Eglon King of Moab against Israel, because they had committed wickedness before the Lord. 13 And he gathered unto him the children of Ammon, and Amalek, and went and smote Israel, and they possessed the city of palm trees. 14 So the children of Israel served Eglon king of Moab eighteen years.<br><br> 15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, the Lord stirred them up a savior, Ehud the son of Gera the son of Jemini, a man lame of his right hand: and the children of Israel sent a present by him unto Eglon King of Moab. 16 And Ehud made him a dagger with two edges of a cubit length, and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh, 17 And he presented ye gift unto Eglon King of Moab (and Eglon was a very fat man) 18 And when he had now presented the present, he sent away the people that bare ye present, 19 But he turned again from the quarries, that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O King. Who said, Keep silence: and all that stood about him, went out from him.<br><br> 20 Then Ehud came unto him. (and he sat alone in a summer parlor, which he had) and Ehud said, I have a message unto thee from God. Then he arose out of his throne, 21 And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly, 22 So that the haft went in after the blade, and the fat closed about the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly, but the dirt came out.<br><br> 23 Then Ehud got him out into the porch, and shut the doors of the parlor upon him, and locked them. 24 And when he was gone out, his servants came: who seeing that the doors of the parlor were locked, they said, Surely he doeth his easement in his summer chamber. 25 And they tarried till they were ashamed: and seeing he opened not the doors of the parlor, they took the key, and opened them, and behold, their lord was fallen dead on the earth.<br><br> 26 So Ehud escaped (while they tarried) and was passed the quarries, and escaped unto Seirah. 27 And when he came home, he blew a trumpet in mount Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mountain, and he went before them. 28 Then said he unto them, Follow me: for the Lord hath delivered your enemies, even Moab into your hand.<br><br> So they went down after him, and took the passages of Jordan toward Moab, and suffered not a man to pass over. 29 And they slew of the Moabites the same time about ten thousand men, all fed men, and all were warriors, and there escaped not a man. 30 So Moab was subdued that day, under the hand of Israel: and the land had rest fourscore years.<br><br> 31 And after him was Shamgar the son of Anath, which slew of the Philistines six hundred men with an ox goad, and he also delivered Israel. Judges 4 1 And the children of Israel began again to do wickedly in the sight of the Lord when Ehud was dead. 2 And the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin King of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor, whose chief Captain was called Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.<br><br> 3 Then the children of Israel cried unto the Lord: (for he had nine hundred chariots of iron, and twenty years he had vexed the children of Israel very sore) 4 And at that time Deborah a Prophetess the wife of Lapidoth judged Israel. 5 And this Deborah dwelt under a palm tree, between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim, and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 Then she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kadesh of Naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go, and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?<br><br> 7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin 9s army with his chariots, and his multitude, and will deliver him into thine hand. 8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, I will not go. 9 Then she answered, I will surely go with thee, but this journey that thou takest, shall not be for thine honor: for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.<br><br> And Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh, and he went up on his feet with ten thousand men, and Deborah went up with him. 11 (Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, was departed from the Kenites, and pitched his tent until the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh) 12 Then they shewed Sisera, that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.<br><br> 13 And Sisera called for all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him from Harosheth of the Gentiles, unto the river Kishon. 14 Then Deborah said unto Barak, Up: for this is the day that the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand. Is not the Lord gone out before thee?<br><br> So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. 15 And the Lord destroyed Sisera and all his chariots, and all his host with the edge of the sword before Barak, so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. 16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword: there was not a man left.<br><br> 17 Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: (for peace was between Jabin the king of Hazor, and between the house of Heber the Kenite) 18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me: fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into her tent, she covered him with a mantel. 19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink: for I am thirsty.<br><br> And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. 20 Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and when any man doth come and enquire of thee, saying, Is any man there? Thou shalt say, Nay.<br><br> 21 Then Jael Heber 9s wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground, (for he was fast a sleep and weary) and so he died. 22 And behold, as Barak pursued after Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man, whom thou seekest: and when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail in his temples. 23 So God brought down Jabin the King of Canaan that day before the children of Israel.<br><br> 24 And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the King of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin King of Canaan. Judges 5 1 Then sang Deborah, and Barak the son of Abinoam the same day, saying, 2 Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, and for the people that offered themselves willingly. 3 Hear, ye Kings, hearken ye princes: I, even I will sing unto the Lord: I will sing praise unto the Lord God of Israel.<br><br> 4 Lord, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou departedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens rained, the clouds also dropped water. 5 The mountains melted before the Lord, as did that Sinai before the Lord God of Israel. 6 In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael the highways were unoccupied, and the travelers walked through byways.<br><br> 7 The towns were not inhabited: they decayed, I say, in Israel, until I Deborah came up, which rose up a mother in Israel. 8 They chose new gods: then was war in the gates. Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand of Israel?<br><br> 9 Mine heart is set on the governors of Israel, and on them that are willing among the people: praise ye the Lord. 10 Speak ye that ride on white asses, ye that dwell by Middin, and that walk by the way. 11 For the noise of the archers appraised among the drawers of water: there shall they rehearse the righteousness of the Lord, his righteousness of his towns in Israel: then did the people of the Lord go down to the gates.<br><br> 12 Up Deborah, up, arise, and sing a song: arise Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam. 13 For they that remain, have dominion over the mighty of the people: the Lord hath given me dominion over the strong. 14 Of Ephraim their root arose against Amalek: and after thee, Benjamin shall fight against thy people, O Amalek: of Machir came rulers, and of Zebulun they that handle the pen of the writer.<br><br> 15 And the Princes of Issachar were with Deborah, and Issachar, and also Barak: he was set on his feet in the valley: for the divisions of Reuben were great thoughts of heart. 16 Why abodest thou among the sheepfolds, to hear the bleatings of the flocks? For the divisions of Reuben were great thoughts of heart.<br><br> 17 Gilead abode beyond Jordan: and why doeth Dan remain in ships? Asher sat on the seashore, and tarried in his decayed places. 18 But the people of Zebulun and Naphtali have jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field.<br><br> 19 The Kings came and fought: then fought the Kings of Canaan in Taanach by the waters of Megiddo: they received no gain of money. 20 They fought from heaven, even the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. 21 The River Kishon swept them away, that ancient river the river Kishon.<br><br> O my soul, thou hast marched valiantly. 22 Then were the horse hoofs broken with the oft beating together of their mighty men. 23 Curse ye Meroz: (said the Angel of the Lord) curse the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty.<br><br> 24 Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite shall be blessed above other women: blessed shall she be above women dwelling in tents. 25 He asked water, and she gave him milk: she brought forth butter in a lordly dish. 26 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workman 9s hammer: with the hammer smote she Sisera: she smote off his head, after she had wounded, and pierced his temples.<br><br> 27 He bowed him down at her feet, he fell down, and lay still: at her feet he bowed him down, and fell: and when he had sunk down, he lay there dead. 28 The mother of Sisera looked out at a window, and cried through the lattice, Why is his chariot so long a coming? Why tarry the wheels of his chariots?<br><br> 29 Her wise ladies answered her, Yea. She answered herself with her own words, 30 Have they not gotten, and they divide the spoil? Every man hath a maid or two.<br><br> Sisera hath a prey of divers colored garments, a prey of sundry colors made of needle work: of diverse colors of needle work on both sides, for the chief of the spoil. 31 So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but they that love him, shall be as the Sun when he riseth in his might, and the land had rest forty years. Judges 6 1 Afterward the children of Israel committed wickedness in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian seven years.<br><br> 2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel, and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them dens in the mountains, and caves, and strongholds. 3 When Israel had sown, then came up the Midianites, the Amalekites, and they of the East, and came upon them, 4 And camped by them, and destroyed the fruit of the earth, even till thou come unto Azzah, and left no food for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass. 5 For they went up, and their cattle, and came with their tents as grasshoppers in multitude: so that they and their camels were without number: and they came into the land to destroy it.<br><br> 6 So was Israel exceedingly impoverished by the Midianites: therefore the children of Israel cried unto the Lord. 7 And when the children of Israel cried unto the Lord because of the Midianites, 8 The Lord sent unto the children of Israel a Prophet, who said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I have brought you up from Egypt, and have brought you out of the house of bondage, 9 And I have delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and have cast them out before you, and given you their land. 10 And I said unto you, I am the Lord your God: fear not the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.<br><br> 11 And the Angel of the Lord came, and sat under the oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the father of the Ezrites, and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites. 12 Then the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him, and said unto him, The Lord is with thee, thou valiant man. 13 To whom Gideon answered, Ah my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this come upon us?<br><br> And where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, and said, Did not the Lord bring us out of Egypt? But now the Lord hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hand of the Midianites. 14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel out of the hands of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?<br><br> 15 And he answered him, Ah my Lord, whereby shall I save Israel? Behold, my father is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father 9s house. 16 Then the Lord said unto him, I will therefore be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites, as one man.<br><br> 17 And he answered him, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thy sight, then shew me a sign, that thou talkest with me. 18 Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring mine offering, and lay it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou come again.<br><br> 19 Then Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened bread of an Ephah of flour, and put the flesh in a basket, and put the broth in a pot, and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it. 20 And the Angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened bread, and lay them upon this stone, and pour out the broth: and he did so. 21 Then the Angel of the Lord put forth the end of the staff that he had in his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened bread: and there arose up fire out of the stone, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened bread: so the Angel of the Lord departed out of his sight.<br><br> 22 And when Gideon perceived that it was an Angel of the Lord, Gideon then said, Alas, my Lord God: for because I have seen an Angel of the Lord face to face, I shall die. 23 And the Lord said unto him, Peace be unto thee: fear not, thou shalt not die. 24 Then Gideon made an altar there unto the Lord, and called it, Jehovah- shalom: unto this day it is in Ophrah, of the father of the Ezrites.<br><br> 25 And the same night the Lord said unto him, Take thy father 9s young bullock, and another bullock of seven years old, and destroy the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove that is by it, 26 And build an altar unto the Lord thy God upon the top of this rock, in a plain place: and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the grove, which thou shalt cut down. 27 Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as ye Lord bade him: but because he feared to do it by day for his father 9s household, and the men of the city, he did it by night. 28 And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken, and the grove cut down that was by it, and the second bullock offered upon the altar that was made.<br><br> 29 Therefore they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. 30 Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: for he hath destroyed the altar of Baal, and hath also cut down the grove that was by it.<br><br> 31 And Joash said unto all that stood by him, Will ye plead Baal 9s cause? Or will ye save him? He that will contend for him, let him die or the morning.<br><br> If he be God, let him plead for himself against him that hath cast down his altar. 32 And in that day was Gideon called Jerubbaal, that is, Let Baal plead for himself because he hath broken down his altar. 33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and they of ye East, were gathered together, and went and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.<br><br> 34 But the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, and Abiezer was joined with him. 35 And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, which also was joined with him, and he sent messengers unto Asher, and to Zebulun and to Naphtali, and they came up to meet them. 36 Then Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, 37 Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the threshing place: if the dew come on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth, then shall I be sure, that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.<br><br> 38 And so it was: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, and filled a bowl of water. 39 Again, Gideon said unto God, Be not angry with me, that I may speak once more: let me prove once again, I pray thee, with the fleece: let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and let dew be upon all the ground. 40 And God did so that same night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.<br><br> Judges 7 1 Then Jerubbaal (who is Gideon) rose up early, and all the people that were with him, and pitched beside the well of Harod, so that the host of the Midianites was on the Northside of them in the valley by the hill of Moreh. 2 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee, are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel make their vaunt against me, and say, Mine hand hath saved me. 3 Now therefore proclaim in the audience of the people, and say, Who so is timorous or fearful, let him return, and depart early from mount Gilead.<br><br> And there returned of the people which were at mount Gilead, two and twenty thousand: so ten thousand remained. 4 And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many: bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and of whom I say unto thee, This man shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee: and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This man shall not go with thee, the same shall not go. 5 So he brought down the people unto the water.<br><br> And the Lord said unto Gideon, As many as lap the water with their tongues, as a dog lappeth, them put by themselves, and every one that shall bow down his knees to drink, put apart. 6 And the number of them that lapped by putting their hands to their mouths, were three hundred men: but all the remnant of the people kneeled down upon their knees to drink water. 7 Then the Lord said unto Gideon, By these three hundred men that lapped, will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.<br><br> 8 So the people took vitailles with them, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel, every man unto his tent, and retained the three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in a valley. 9 And the same night the Lord said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host: for I have delivered it into thine hand. 10 But if thou fear to go down, then go thou, and Phurah thy servant down to the host, 11 And thou shalt hearken what they say, and so shall thine hands be strong to go down unto the host.<br><br> Then went he down and Phurah his servant unto the outside of the soldiers that were in the host. 12 And the Midianites, and the Amalekites and all they of the East, lay in the valley like grasshoppers in multitude, and their camels were without number, as the sand which is by the seaside for multitude. 13 And when Gideon was come, behold, a man told a dream unto his neighbor, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and lo, a cake of barley bread tumbled from above into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent fell down.<br><br> 14 And his fellow answered, and said, This is nothing else save the sword of Gideon the son of Joash a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God delivered Midian and all the host. 15 When Gideon heard the dream told, and the interpretation of the same, he worshipped, and returned unto the host of Israel, and said, Up: for the Lord hath delivered into your hand the host of Midian. 16 And he divided the three hundred men into three bands, and gave every man a trumpet in his hand with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.<br><br> 17 And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise, when I come to the side of the host: even as I do, so do you. 18 When I blow with a trumpet and all that are with me, blow ye with trumpets also on every side of the host, and say, For the Lord, and for Gideon. 19 So Gideon and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the host, in the beginning of the middle watch, and they raised up the watchmen, and they blew with their trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.<br><br> 20 And the three companies blew with trumpets and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the Lord and of Gideon. 21 And they stood, every man in his place round about the host: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled. 22 And the three hundred blew with trumpets, and the Lord set every man 9s sword upon his neighbor, and upon all the host: so the host fled to Beth-hashittah in Zererah, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.<br><br> 23 Then the men of Israel being gathered together out of Naphtali, and out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, pursued after the Midianites. 24 And Gideon sent messengers unto all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah, and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered together and took the waters unto Beth-barah, and Jordan.<br><br> 25 And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb, and slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and slew Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued the Midianites, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon beyond Jordan. Judges 8 1 Then the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why hast thou served us thus that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they chode with him sharply.<br><br> 2 To whom he said, What have I now done in comparison of you? Is not the gleaning of grapes of Ephraim better, than the vintage of Abiezer? 3 God hath delivered into your hands the princes of Midian, Oreb and Zeeb: and what was I able to do in comparison of you?<br><br> And when he had thus spoken, then their spirits abated toward him. 4 And Gideon came to Jordan to pass over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, weary, yet pursuing them. 5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, morsels of bread unto the people that follow me (for they be weary) that I may follow after Zebah, and Zalmunna Kings of Midian.<br><br> 6 And the princes of Succoth said, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hands, that we should give bread unto thine army? 7 Gideon then said, Therefore when the Lord hath delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into mine hand, I will tear your flesh with thorns of the wilderness and with briers. 8 And he went up thence to Penuel, and spake unto them likewise, and the men of Penuel answered him, as the men of Succoth answered.<br><br> 9 And he said also unto the men of Penuel, When I come again in peace, I will break down this tower. 10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand, all that were left of all the hosts of them of the East: for there was slain an hundred and twenty thousand men, that drew swords. 11 And Gideon went through them that dwelt in Tabernacles on the East side of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was careless.<br><br> 12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he followed after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host. 13 So Gideon the son of Joash returned from battle, the sun being yet high, 14 And took a servant of the men of Succoth, and inquired of him: and he wrote to him the princes of Succoth and the Elders thereof, even seventy and seven men. 15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, by whom ye upbraided me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in thine hands, that we should give bread unto thy weary men?<br><br> 16 Then he took the Elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and did tear the men of Succoth with them. 17 Also he brake down the tower of Penuel, and slew the men of the city. 18 Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men were they, whom ye slew at Tabor?<br><br> And they answered, As thou art, so were they: every one was like the children of a King. 19 And he said, They were my brethren, even my mother 9s children: as the Lord liveth, if ye had saved their lives, I would not slay you. 20 Then he said unto Jether his firstborn son, Up, and slay them: but the boy drew not his sword: for he feared, because he was yet young.<br><br> 21 Then Zebah and Zalmunna said, Rise thou, and fall upon us: for as the man is, so is his strength. And Gideon arose and slew Zebah and Zalmunna, and took away the ornaments, that were on their camels 9 necks. 22 Then the men of Israel said unto Gideon, Reign thou over us, both thou, and thy son, and thy son 9s son: for thou hast delivered us out of the hand of Midian.<br><br> 23 And Gideon said unto them, I will not reign over you, neither shall my child reign over you, but the Lord shall reign over you. 24 Again Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that you would give me every man the earrings of his prey (for they had golden earrings because they were Ishmaelites) 25 And they answered, We will give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.<br><br> 26 And the weight of the golden earrings that he required, was a thousand and seven hundred shekels of gold, beside collars and jewels, and purple raiment that was on the kings of Midian, and beside the chains that were about their camels 9 necks. 27 And Gideon made an Ephod thereof, and put it in Ophrah his city: and all Israel went a whoring there after it, which was the destruction of Gideon and his house. 28 Thus was Midian brought low before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more: and the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon.<br><br> 29 Then Jerubbaal the son of Joash went, and dwelt in his own house. 30 And Gideon had seventy sons begotten of his body: for he had many wives. 31 And his concubine that was in Shechem, bare him a son also, whose name he called Abimelech.<br><br> 32 So Gideon the son of Joash died in a good age, and was buried in the sepulcher of Joash his father in Ophrah, of the father of ye Ezrites. 33 But when Gideon was dead, the children of Israel turned away and went a whoring after Baalim, and made Baal-berith their God. 34 And the children of Israel remembered not the Lord their God, which had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side.<br><br> 35 Neither shewed they mercy on the house of Jerubbaal, or Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had shewed unto Israel. Judges 9 1 Then Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother 9s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family, and house of his mother 9s father, saying, 2 Say, I pray you, in the audience of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are seventy persons, reign over you, either that one reign over you? Remember also, that I am your bone, and your flesh.<br><br> 3 Then his mother 9s brethren spake of him in the audience of all the men of Shechem, all these words: and their hearts were moved to follow Abimelech: for said they, He is our brother. 4 And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light fellows which followed him. 5 And he went unto his father 9s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren, the sons of Jerubbaal, about seventy persons upon one stone: yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left: for he hid himself.<br><br> 6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together with all the house of Millo, and came and made Abimelech King in the plain, where the stone was erected in Shechem. 7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, you men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. 8 The trees went forth to anoint a King over them, and said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.<br><br> 9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to advance me above ye trees? 10 Then the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and be King over us. 11 But the fig tree answered them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to advance me above the trees?<br><br> 12 Then said the trees unto the Vine, Come thou, and be king over us. 13 But the Vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, whereby I cheer God and man, and go to advance me above the trees? 14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.<br><br> 15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If ye will indeed anoint me King over you, come, and put your trust under my shadow: and if not, the fire shall come out of the bramble, and consume the Cedars of Lebanon. 16 Now therefore, if ye do truly and incorruptly to make Abimelech King, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and with his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands, 17 (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life, and delivered you out of the hands of Midian. 18 And ye are risen up against my father 9s house this day, and have slain his children, about seventy persons upon one stone, and have made Abimelech the son of his maidservant, King over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother) 19 If ye then have dealt truly and purely with Jerubbaal, and with his house this day, then rejoice with you.<br><br> 20 But if not, let a fire come out from Abimelech, and consume the men of Shechem and the house of Millo: also let a fire come forth from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and consume Abimelech. 21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there for fear of Abimelech his brother. 22 So Abimelech reigned three years over Israel.<br><br> 23 But God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech, and the men of Shechem: and the men of Shechem brake their promise to Abimelech, 24 That the cruelty toward the seventy sons of Jerubbaal and their blood might come and be laid upon Abimelech their brother, which had slain them, and upon the men of Shechem, which had aided him to kill his brethren. 25 So the men of Shechem set men in wait for him in the tops of the mountains: who robbed all that passed that way by them: and it was told Abimelech. 26 Then Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brethren, and they went to Shechem: and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him.<br><br> 27 Therefore they went out into the field, and gathered in their grapes and trode them, and made merry, and went into the house of their gods, and did eat and drink, and cursed Abimelech. 28 Then Gaal the son of Ebed said, Who is Abimelech? And who is Shechem, that we should serve him?<br><br> Is he not the son of Jerubbaal? And Zebul is his officer? Serve rather the men of Hamor the father of Shechem: for why should we serve him?<br><br> 29 Now would God this people were under mine hand: then would I put away Abimelech. And he said to Abimelech, Increase thine army, and come out. 30 And when Zebul the ruler of the city heard the words of Gaal the son of Ebed, his wrath was kindled.<br><br> 31 Therefore he sent messengers unto Abimelech privily, saying, Behold, Gaal the son of Ebed and his brethren be come to Shechem, and behold, they fortify the city against thee. 32 Now therefore arise by night, thou and the people that is with thee, and lie in wait in the field. 33 And rise early in the morning as soon as the sun is up, and assault the city: and when he and the people that is with him, shall come out against thee, do to him what thou canst.<br><br> 34 So Abimelech rose up, and all the people that were with him by night: and they lay in wait against Shechem in four bands. 35 Then Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and Abimelech rose up, and the folk that were with him, from lying in wait. 36 And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, Behold, there come people down from the tops of the mountains: and Zebul said unto him, The shadow of the mountains seem men unto thee.<br><br> 37 And Gaal spake again, and said, See, there come folk down by the middle of the land, and another band cometh by the way of the plain of Meonenim. 38 Then said Zebul unto him, Where is now thy mouth, that said, Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him? Is not this the people that thou hast despised?<br><br> Go out now, I pray thee, and fight with them. 39 And Gaal went out before the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. 40 But Abimelech pursued him, and he fled before him, and many were overthrown and wounded, even unto the entering of the gate.<br><br> 41 And Abimelech dwelt at Arumah: and Zebul thrust out Gaal and his brethren that they should not dwell in Shechem. 42 And on the morrow, the people went out into the field: which was told Abimelech. 43 And he took the people, and divided them into three bands, and laid wait in the fields, and looked, and behold, the people were come out of the city, and he rose up against them, and smote them.<br><br> 44 And Abimelech, and the bands that were with him, rushed forward, and stood in the entering of the gate of the city: and the two other bands ran upon all the people that were in the field and slew them. 45 And when Abimelech had fought against the city all that day, he took the city, and slew the people that was therein, and destroyed the city and sowed salt in it. 46 And when all the men of the tower of Shechem heard it, they entered into an hold of the house of the god Berith.<br><br> 47 And it was told Abimelech, that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 And Abimelech got him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him: and Abimelech took axes with him, and cut down boughs of trees, and took them, and bare them on his shoulder, and said unto the folk that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do like me. 49 Then all the people also cut down every man his bough, and followed Abimelech, and put them to the hold, and set the hold on fire with them: so all the men of the tower of Shechem died also, about a thousand men and women.<br><br> 50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and besieged Thebez, and took it. 51 But there was a strong tower within the city, and thither fled all the men and women, and all the chief of the city, and shut it to them, and went up to the top of the tower. 52 And Abimelech came unto the tower and fought against it, and went hard unto the door of the tower to set it on fire.<br><br> 53 But a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech 9s head, and brake his brainpan. 54 Then Abimelech called hastily his page that bare his harness, and said unto him, Draw thy sword and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his page thrust him through, and he died.<br><br> 55 And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his own place. 56 Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren. 57 Also all the wickedness of the men of Shechem did God bring upon their heads.<br><br> So upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal. Judges 10 1 After Abimelech there arose to defend Israel, Tola, the son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, which dwelt in Shamir in mount Ephraim. 2 And he judged Israel three and twenty years and died, and was buried in Shamir.<br><br> 3 And after him arose Jair a Gileadite, and judged Israel two and twenty years. 4 And he had thirty sons that rode on thirty asscolts, and they had thirty cities, which are called Havoth-Jair unto this day, and are in the land of Gilead. 5 And Jair died, and was buried in Kamon.<br><br> 6 And the children of Israel wrought wickedness again in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Aram, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the Lord and served not him. 7 Therefore the wrath of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon: 8 Who from that year vexed and oppressed the children of Israel eighteen years, even all the children of Israel that were beyond Jordan, in the land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. 9 Moreover, the children of Ammon went over Jordan to fight against Judah, and against Benjamin, and against the house of Ephraim: so that Israel was sore tormented.<br><br> 10 Then the children of Israel cried unto the Lord, saying, We have sinned against thee, even because we have forsaken our own God, and have served Baalim. 11 And the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Did not I deliver you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites, from the children of Ammon and from the Philistines? 12 The Sidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites did oppress you, and ye cried to me and I saved you out of their hands.<br><br> 13 Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more. 14 Go, and cry unto the gods which ye have chosen: let them save you in the time of your tribulation. 15 And the children of Israel said unto the Lord, We have sinned: do thou unto us whatsoever please thee: only we pray thee to deliver us this day.<br><br> 16 Then they put away the strange gods from among them and served the Lord: and his soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. 17 Then the children of Ammon gathered themselves together, and pitched in Gilead: and the children of Israel assembled themselves, and pitched in Mizpeh. 18 And the people and princes of Gilead said one to another, Whosoever will begin the battle against the children of Ammon, the same shall be head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.<br><br> Judges 11 1 Then Gilead begat Jephtah, and Jephtah the Gileadite was a valiant man, but the son of an harlot. 2 And Gilead 9s wife bare him sons, and when the woman 9s children were come to age, they thrust out Jephtah, and said unto him, Thou shalt not inherit in our father 9s house: for thou art the son of a strange woman. 3 Then Jephtah fled from his brethren, and dwelt in the land of Tob: and there gathered idle fellows to Jephtah, and went out with him.<br><br> 4 And in process of time the children of Ammon made war with Israel. 5 And when the children of Ammon fought with Israel, the Elders of Gilead went to fetch Jephtah out of the land of Tob. 6 And they said unto Jephtah, Come and be our captain, that we may fight with the children of Ammon.<br><br> 7 Jephtah then answered the Elders of Gilead, Did not ye hate me, and expel me out of my father 9s house? How then come you unto me now in time of your tribulation? 8 Then the Elders of Gilead said unto Jephtah, Therefore we turn again to thee now, that thou mayest go with us, and fight against the children of Ammon, and be our head over all the inhabitants of Gilead.<br><br> 9 And Jephtah said unto the Elders of Gilead, If ye bring me home again to fight against the children of Ammon, if the Lord give them before me, shall I be your head? 10 And the Elders of Gilead said to Jephtah, The Lord be witness between us, if we do not according to thy words. 11 Then Jephtah went with the Elders of Gilead, and the people made him head and captain over them: and Jephtah rehearsed all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh.<br><br> 12 Then Jephtah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me, to fight in my land? 13 And the King of the children of Ammon answered unto the messengers of Jephtah, Because Israel took my land, when they came up from Egypt, from Arnon unto Jabbok, and unto Jordan: now therefore restore those lands quietly. 14 Yet Jephtah sent messengers again unto the King of the children of Ammon, 15 And said unto him, Thus saith Jephtah, Israel took not the land of Moab, nor the land of the children of Ammon.<br><br> 16 But when Israel came up from Egypt, and walked through the wilderness unto the Red Sea, then they came to Kadesh. 17 And Israel sent messengers unto the king of Edom, saying, Let me, I pray thee, go through thy land: but the King of Edom would not consent: and also they sent unto the King of Moab, but he would not: therefore Israel abode in Kadesh. 18 Then they went through the wilderness, and compassed the land of Edom, and the land of Moab, and came by the Eastside of the land of Moab, and pitched on the other side of Arnon, and came not within the coast of Moab: for Arnon was the border of Moab.<br><br> 19 Also Israel sent messengers unto Sihon, King of the Amorites, the King of Heshbon, and Israel said unto him, Let us pass, we pray thee, by thy land unto our place. 20 But Sihon consented not to Israel, that he should go through his coast: but Sihon gathered all his people together, and pitched in Jahaz, and fought with Israel. 21 And the Lord God of Israel gave Sihon and all his folk into the hands of Israel, and they smote them: so Israel possessed all the land of the Amorites, the inhabitants of that country: 22 And they possessed all the coast of the Amorites, from Arnon unto Jabbok, and from the wilderness even unto Jordan.<br><br> 23 Now therefore the Lord God of Israel hath cast out the Amorites before his people Israel, and shouldest thou possess it? 24 Wouldest not thou possess that which Chemosh thy god giveth thee to possess? So whomsoever the Lord our God driveth out before us, them will we possess.<br><br> 25 And art thou now far better than Balak the son of Zippor King of Moab? Did he not strive with Israel and fight against them, 26 When Israel dwelt in Heshbon and in her towns, and in Aroer and in her towns, and in all the cities that are by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? Why did ye not then recover them in that space?<br><br> 27 Wherefore, I have not offended thee: but thou doest me wrong to war against me. The Lord the Judge be judge this day between the children of Israel, and the children of Ammon. 28 Howbeit the King of the children of Ammon hearkened not unto the words of Jephtah, which he had sent him.<br><br> 29 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephtah, and he passed over to Gilead and to Manasseh, and came to Mizpeh in Gilead, and from Mizpeh in Gilead he went unto the children of Ammon. 30 And Jephtah vowed a vow unto the Lord, and said, If thou shalt deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, 31 Then that thing that cometh out of the doors of mine house to meet me, when I come home in peace from the children of Ammon, shall be the Lord 9s, and I will offer it for a burnt offering. 32 And so Jephtah went unto the children of Ammon to fight against them, and the Lord delivered them into his hands.<br><br> 33 And he smote them from Aroer even till thou come to Minnith, twenty cities, and so forth to Abel of the vineyards, with an exceeding great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were humbled before the children of Israel. 34 Now when Jephtah came to Mizpeh unto his house, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and dances, which was his only child: he had none other sons, nor daughters.<br><br> 35 And when he saw her, he rent his clothes, and said, Alas my daughter, thou hast brought me low, and art of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the Lord, and cannot go back. 36 And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the Lord, do with me as thou hast promised, seeing that the Lord hath avenged thee of thine enemies the children of Ammon. 37 Also she said unto her father, Do thus much for me: suffer me two months, that I may go to the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows.<br><br> 38 And he said, Go: and he sent her away two months: so she went with her companions, and lamented her virginity upon the mountains. 39 And after the end of two months, she turned again unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed, and she had known no man. And it was a custom in Israel: 40 The daughters of Israel went year by year to lament the daughter of Jephtah the Gileadite, four days in a year.<br><br> Judges 12 1 And the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and went Northward, and said unto Jephtah, Wherefore wentest thou to fight against the children of Ammon, and didst not call us to go with thee? We will therefore burn thine house upon thee with fire. 2 And Jephtah said unto them, I and my people were at great strife with the children of Ammon, and when I called you, ye delivered me not out of their hands.<br><br> 3 So when I saw that ye delivered me not, I put my life in mine hands, and went upon the children of Ammon: so the Lord delivered them into mine hands. Wherefore then are ye come upon me now to fight against me? 4 Then Jephtah gathered all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are runagates of Ephraim among the Ephraimites, and among the Manassites.<br><br> 5 Also the Gileadites took the passages of Jordan before the Ephraimites, and when the Ephraimites that were escaped, said, Let me pass, then the men of Gilead said unto him, Art thou an Ephraimite? If he said, Nay, 6 Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said, Sibboleth: for he could not so pronounce: then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites two and forty thousand. 7 And Jephtah judged Israel six years: then died Jephtah the Gileadite, and was buried in one of the cities of Gilead.<br><br> 8 After him Ibzan of Beth-lehem judged Israel, 9 Who had thirty sons and thirty daughters, which he sent out, and took in thirty daughters from abroad for his sons. and he judged Israel seven years. 10 Then Ibzan died, and was buried at Beth-lehem.<br><br> 11 And after him judged Israel Elon, a Zebulonite, and he judged Israel ten years. 12 Then Elon the Zebulonite died, and was buried in Aijalon in the country of Zebulun. 13 And after him Abdon the son of Hillel the Pirathonite judged Israel.<br><br> 14 And he had forty sons and thirty nephews that rode on seventy asscolts: and he judged Israel eight years. 15 Then died Abdon

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